Photographs Of Light, Lights, And Lighting

Monday, June 2, 2014

If you're someone who enjoys taking pictures, I'm sure you've noticed how you'll go through periods of being inspired by a certain thing that catches your eye and then you'll start taking a series of photographs. It's like your photography goes through a theme period.

Lately, for me, it's been indoor and outdoor light fixtures, chandeliers, light bulbs, city lights; anything that has to do with lighting.

Lighting is something that has always fascinated me because not only does it allow us to see in the dark, but it also has the ability to create and invoke a mood.

I remember when I was still an actor in the theater and the lighting technicians would slowly begin adding the onstage lighting to a production I was performing in, and how it would suddenly make a difference in my performance because stage lights greatly influence how an actor feels. And they also influence how an audience feels. Stage lighting is such a powerful part of the theater experience.

I also feel that lighting influences our life in general.

For instance, in my own home I don't like bright lights. I much prefer softer lighting because it feels calmer and more relaxing. I don't mine bright, natural light coming from outside, I just don't like a lot of bright, artificial lighting.

And it's funny because my mother was just the opposite, she would have every single light on in the house at night because she preferred a lot of bright light. She used so much electricity at night, I'm surprised she didn't cause a total blackout in the state of Pennsylvania.

I can still hear my father saying, "Ann, turn off some of these goddamn lights because we're not supplying light for the WHOLE world!"

Anyhoo, today I would like to share some photographs of different types of light, lights, and lighting.

Please enjoy...

The chandelier that hangs in the lobby of my apartment building. And notice how one of the light bulbs is out. Ooops!

A beautiful, Gothic-looking light fixture, hanging over the doorway of an office building.

A light fixture hanging over the doorway of a gorgeous home on Delancey Street.

I took this shot one morning as the sun was rising. And that's rare for me because I'm NEVER up this early.

A light I spotted while walking down an alleyway

A light fixture made of metal crates, filled with glass mason jars and old milk bottles. It hangs in a charming organic cafe that just recently opened in Philly, called, P.S. & Co.

This final photograph is light that has nothing to do with electricity, but rather candlelight. I've never taken photographs of candlelight before, so I wanted to try my hand at it. This is actually a tealight, which I took with my camera in manual mode, so that I could fiddle around with the clarity and sharpness of the candle flame and the overall lighting. I also added an anonymous quote that I found online because I think it's very enlightening.

Wow! How cool are those milk crate lights? I love the lantern style lights and always admire people's porch lights when I'm walking around the neighborhood at dusk. There are even some really unique solar landscaping lights out there these days.

Love this post Ronnie. The 1807 picture has a really creepy feel to it. I absolutely love it, it fits right in with my horror movie phase I am going through. I wish I could take awesome pictures like this you always inspire me!

Ron, was an interesting post! I feel the same as you, I don't mind natural bright light from outside, but I prefer softer lighting at night in my apartment because I find it too glaring and it hurts my eyes. I also enjoy lighting candles at night because I'm a candle freak.

Beautiful photographs. The one of the milk create is genius. I've never seen anything like it. And the last one of the tealight is gorgeous. Love the quote!

I seem to go through periods of being interested in taking photographs of certain things, and lately it's been lights. I always have my camera with me wherever I go, so over the past month I've been seeking out images that have to do with lighting. And it's amazing how many I find.

"I like the effect of l807 and the construction work lights look so entangled I'm surprised they work!"

The 1807 one just fascinated me because looked like something you would see in an old movie. And construction work lights I spotted about two blocks from where I live. They're doing some sort of refacing on one of the buildings.

Sorry to hear about Joe. Just know that I'm always sharing much 'good energy' with him, okay?

((((((((((( Joe ))))))))

Thanks so much for stopping by, dear lady. And no worries, just blog whenever you have time and feel like it. Have a lovely week!

Isn't that the COOLEST light? I haven't actually stepped inside the cafe and ordered anything, but I've stood outside and took some photos through an open window. The interior of the place is so charming.

"There are even some really unique solar landscaping lights out there these days."

Yes, you're right. In fact, one of the ladies I work with just landscaped the front of her row home in solar lights and they look faaaaaabulous!

"but I prefer softer lighting at night in my apartment because I find it too glaring and it hurts my eyes."

Meeeeeeee too! Bright lights hurt my eyes. And they can be so jarring. And as I shared, natural sunlight doesn't have the same affect on me, just artificial light. Yes, I enjoy candlelight light as well. I use a lot of tealights at night in my apartment.

" The one of the milk create is genius. I've never seen anything like it."

Me neither, so when I spotted it through an open window, I had to take a photograph of it. And the cafe itself is so charming.

Ron, my girlfriend and I have this conflict a lot. She likes every light in our apartment on even during the day and I'm always running behind her, turning them off. And it's not only that I don't like bright light, but our electricity bill is too high.

Great photographs! Being a Goth freak, I really like the fixture in #3 and the 1807. And the flame in candle shot is perfect.

I love your photographs Ron, especially the chandelier. I've always wanted a chandelier, one of those huge ones with many tiers that hang down to almost the floor. Unfortunately my rooms are not high enough but when I win the lottery I will buy a house with very high ceilings and have a chandelier in every room!

Ron, what I always enjoy about your photographs is that you share such a great variety. You have an excellent eye for capturing images with interesting perspectives. I would never think to take photographs the way you do, like the two chandeliers, by looking up. The milk crate fixture is so cool, man.

Interesting topic. And you're right, lighting does influence our life. I prefer nighttime because there is such a beautiful contrast between light and dark. And I know may sound strange, but I see better at night.

Thank you :) It's funny because even before I ever got into photography, I was always interested in looking at photographs, studying them, and almost getting lost inside them. I don't know how I really capture images, other than an intuitive feeling about a perspective. I just see something that I find interesting and then snap the camera. Sometimes it comes out the way I saw it, but then other times is doesn't.

Isn't the milk crate fixture awesome? I had never seen anything like it before.

"I prefer nighttime because there is such a beautiful contrast between light and dark. And I know this may sound strange, but I see better at night. My vision is sharper."

OMG...that is so interesting! You're like a cat because cats see better at night too!''

Ron, I love your lighting photos, especially the tea candle and the metal crates with mason jars and milk bottles -- how clever! That crystal chandelier is beautiful, too.

I'm definitely a "light person," gravitating when possible toward a sunny window. But it's funny -- the glow of my laptop in a darkened room is somehow very comforting. I got a kick out of your mom lighting the entire world, ha!

Thanks so much for taking me along on your journey of lights. Enjoyed it immensely, my friend -- have a beautiful Monday!

Isn't the metal crate light fixture beyond clever? I spotted it while walking by last week and just had to take a photograph. In fact, the whole cafe has such a unique ambiance. One of these days I have to try eating there.

"I'm definitely a "light person," gravitating when possible toward a sunny window. But it's funny -- the glow of my laptop in a darkened room is somehow very comforting."

Meee too! And I know that's not supposed to be good for you eyes, but somehow find it soothing.

"I got a kick out of your mom lighting the entire world, ha!"

And to hear my father say that was HILARIOUS!

Much thanks for stopping by, my friend. Hope your Monday was super. Have a faaaaaabulous week!

Ron, thank you for sharing that video on Simon Tofield, it was fantastic! So interesting to hear how he started this series of videos and that he is the one who makes the cat sounds for the cat. You're right, he's a genius because the way he presents the cat is exactly how a cat is.

Beautiful, Ron! You'd never think the last photo is of a tealight...it's so dramatic, and the sentiment, just lovely! I copied and pasted it for myself, it's so poignant and true. Thank you!I must have been a beetle or something in one of my past lives because I'm so drawn to these wonderful fixtures but don't photograph, admire. They emote glamor, mystery, intrigue; even as in the name, Gaslight, don't they? Esp. at night. LOL Sherlock Holmes just popped into my mind. Thank you for sharing another one of your amazing talents, Ron! :))

Thank you :) And yes, feel free to copy and paste any of the photographs I share because you're more than welcome. I had originally planned on posting that last (tealight) photo by itself, however, when I spotted the quote online, I thought it would add a nice touch.

"I must have been a beetle or something in one of my past lives because I'm so drawn to these wonderful fixtures..."

Nawwww, I hate taking pictures…can't you tell? ;-) Seriously, those are stunning shots of lighting. Light and music. Two things that can totally change any mood. Oddly, I really like the construction workers maze of tangled cords and lights. Art in and of itself! But the last shot is by far my favorite. Simple and to the point. Thanks for some *brilliant* inspiration!

Like you, I'm a big fan of soft lighting. Hence the many, many lava lamps that cast a soft, mysterious glow over the apartment in the evening. And also the dimmer switch I added soon after moving in, so the bright, harsh lights in the living room can be turned down for romantic effect.

Is that sunrise photo the view from your apartment? Stunning! I love the chandelier at The Bellevue. I clicked over to their website and it's so grand. To your point, I'm sure it looks even more stunning because of the lighting they uses for the photos. That's so funny about your mom. My father used to say that all the time, too! I do prefer softer lighting but I have to have practically every light on in the house at night. There's a old country song that it reminds me of. This guy promised his girlfriend that he would leave a light on in case she ever decided to come back to him. "Every light in the house in on, the backyards bright like the crack of dawn. Front walk looks light runway lights. It's kinda like noon in the dead of night."That's totally my house! I swear you can see if from space. Great post, Ron!

Like you Ron, I prefer subdued lighting in my home. I have been an admirer of odd or interesting looking lights all my life, so I prefer unique looking lights. Beautiful pic of a tealight! Happy week Ron!

Yes, that view is from my apartment window. For some reason, several weeks ago, I woke up at like 5:45 AM and couldn't go back to sleep. So I got up, made some coffee, and took photographs of the sun coming up.

Glad you enjoyed the link to the Bellevue. Isn't it stunningly GRAND? It use to be a hotel, but is now an office building with a restaurant and stores in the lobby. And they also hold weddings in the ballroom on the second floor.

"That's so funny about your mom. My father used to say that all the time, too!"

These are sooo pretty!! I think photography and loving lighting go hand in hand. It is something we see and can't (un)see. I'd say....it's illuminating! HA. The light in your apartment building looks like a daisy. So pretty!

"I enjoy AMBIENCE lighting in my home! I prefer soft lighting...it is just ....so much more romantic I guess! I have more AMBIENCE lights than anyone!"

You know, I had a feeling you felt that way. I don't know why, but I have always imagined your home at night being softly lit, with a calm ambiance. I know you're a Virgo and my rising is also Virgo, so maybe it has to do with our signs?!

And yes, I think a blog post about the lighting in your home would be so interesting!

Much thanks for stopping by, my friend. Hope your week is going great and that all is well with Lady Bug!

I am the very same way Ron. I enjoy AMBIENCE lighting in my home! I am constantly telling my husband to turn OFF all the lights!! I prefer soft lighting...it is just ....so much more romantic I guess! I have more AMBIENCE lights than anyone! I should do a blog post about all of my lights...you would be totally AMAZED!! You always think up the most AWESOME subjects!! Happy Wednesday Ron!! xo

I LOVE the crate lighting! How creative! I also love your candle photograph. You are improving daily, with your photography :)

We only have a few lamps on in the evening. We also hate bright lights in the home. If I put the overhead light on for anything and forget to switch it off, Mo shouts out. "Can we have that Gestapo light out now" ha ha!

"I am also a big fan of trolls Ron, I had quite a few, years ago and yes, they had names too."

Oh how faaaaaabulous, Geraldine! Nice to hear that I'm not the only one who still enjoys trolls!

And yes, I actually keep my trolls above my computer desk area on a shelf, so I can see them all the time.

"I'm glad your internet is back up and running, hopefully!"

Yup...so far so good! I noticed a few days ago that my service was acting weird (very slow), and then yesterday morning when I got online, it would work for awhile and then suddenly not allow me to get on websites or even check my emails. Apparently there was a major outage in my area of Philly, but Verizon seemed to correct it. Yahooooo!

Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Ron, I am laughing so hard at this post, I can't stand it. Hysterical! I love the story about Pierre and him smoking some grass on the streets of Paris. One of the girls I work with reads your blog too and she wanted me to tell you that you are riot!

That last photo of the Brazilian wax is so funny I almost fell off my chair. How do you think of these things? Yes, you're insane, but I love it!

Oh Geez Ron, I didn't mean to sound like I was bitchin' at ya!! I have gotten a few complaints from people about Disqus being difficult to use and I really haven't the faintest idea WHY?? Every now and then it seems to get a little stuck, but I just didn't want you to think I wasn't commenting! LadyBug still isn't doing well. It has now been almost two whole weeks and she still does not have the use of her jaw. Still using the syringe, especially for water. It seems as if she just cannot get enough! And she is definitely losing weight. I am a nervous, freaking wreck because I always think the worst and I cannot even imagine what I will do if there is a tumor or something...thanks Ron and again, I apologize if I sounded crabby!

Oh god no, Jeanne, I didn't take your comment as if you were bitching or being crabby at all. The only reason I used CAPS on VERY was because OMG...I had to get up at 6 AM to be at a work meeting - oy vey!

And I am so sorry to hear about Lady Bug. Yes, I totally understand you being nervous because I would be too. It's the waiting and wondering that's nerve-wracking. Our pets (whether dogs or cats) become like are children/family, so it's natural that we get very concerned for their well-being as we do humans. Just know that I am sharing MUCH 'good vibes' and prayers with Lady Bug.

A man after my heart, I tell ya. There's something about lighting that makes or breaks my attitude and energy level. Too low at the wrong time and I'm in another zone. Too bright and I just want OUT. I adore your lobby...and the milk crates. Geeze...great minds...I shoved fairy lights in mason jars a couple weeks ago. Odds are that's my lighting for the evening.Gotta love the soothing ambience.

"A man after my heart, I tell ya. There's something about lighting that makes or breaks my attitude and energy level. Too low at the wrong time and I'm in another zone. Too bright and I just want OUT."